Betfair Imperial Cup Handicap Hurdle
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Grade 3 Handicap Hurdle,
Sandown Park
£100,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus,
1m 7f 216y, Class 1   
Saturday 8th March 2025

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1 Go Dante 6/1
2 Wreckless Eric 7/1
3. Afadil 8/1
4. Tintintin 18/1
17 ran Distances: ½l, shd, nk
Time: 4m 0.00s (slow by 8.00s)

Go Dante delivered a perfectly-timed late charge to defend his crown, becoming the first back-to-back winner of the race since High Point in 1953.

Despite failing to make an impact in six starts since his victory in this contest 12 months ago, Olly Murphy’s charge was well supported at 6-1 and, running off a 2lb lower mark than last year, traveled smoothly in the hands of Sean Bowen.

With Knickerbockerglory setting a strong gallop up front, Go Dante was biding his time in midfield. As the early pace-setter began to feel the pinch at the penultimate flight, Afadil took up the running, seemingly poised for victory. But Bowen had yet to ask for everything, and once he did, Go Dante responded with a determined surge down the middle of the track.

Afadil was still in front with just strides to go, but Go Dante’s relentless drive carried him home, taking the £51,440 first prize by half a length. Wreckless Eric finished strongly between horses to snatch second, with Afadil relegated to third and Tintintin filling the frame in fourth. Favourite Bo Zenith never figured for Nicky Henderson.

For Murphy, it was another perfectly executed plan: “I’ve learned in a short time training that you have to have a plan, especially for these big handicaps, and thankfully this one has paid off. The team at home deserve a lot of credit, and Sean gave him a great ride.

“Sean and I are really working well as a team—he believes in me, and I believe in him. That’s two £100,000 handicaps we’ve won together in the past two Saturdays.”

Go Dante has been a model of consistency in competitive handicaps all winter, though he had endured his share of misfortune: “He lost his mind at Ascot, ran a little better at Windsor, and was running a big race at Newbury before nearly being brought down. He’d slipped to a nice mark, and I just felt he was coming right. He loves Sandown, though I was a bit nervous about the ground.

“He stays very well over two miles, and that won him the race today. The ground is softer than anticipated, but he was sharp and right for the day, and he’s landed a big pot.”

A £100,000 bonus is on offer for any horse completing the Imperial Cup-William Hill County Hurdle double at Cheltenham, but Murphy is leaning towards caution: “He’s had a hard race today, just like last year, and I’d say it’s unlikely he runs at Cheltenham. I left him in just in case, but this was always the main target. Job done.”

Bowen was full of praise for Murphy’s handling of the horse: “It’s an incredible bit of training from Olly. Since the Greatwood in November, the plan has always been to come here.

“He’s a horse who needs things to go his way—a stiff track and soft ground suit him perfectly. I was more confident today than last year because he traveled so well. Last year’s ground was horrific, and I’m not sure many would have liked it, but this was just soft ground, which he relishes.

“The way Olly keeps these horses in top form all season is incredible, and hopefully, we can keep Go Dante performing for the next few years.”

The Murphy-Bowen partnership continues to flourish, with the jockey storming clear in the title race:

“I’ve ridden over 80 winners for Olly this season, which is an incredible number from one yard. You need a stable like his to win a championship, and thankfully, we’re building momentum.”

With another major handicap success in the bag, Go Dante has reaffirmed himself as one of the toughest and most consistent two-mile hurdlers on the circuit.

Boylesports

Imperial Cup Handicap Hurdle
£100,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 1m 7f 216y, Class 1
17 ran
Going: Good to Soft, Good in places

POS. DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1    Go Dante 9 10-8 Olly Murphy Sean Bowen 6/1
2 ½ Wreckless Eric 5 10-8 Jonjo & A J O'Neill Kielan Woods 7/1
3 shd Afadil 6 10-3 Paul Nicholls Freddie Gingell 8/1
4 nk Tintintin 6 10-5 Fergal O'Brien Jonathan Burke 18/1
5 ¾ Knickerbockerglory 9 11-6 Dan Skelton Harry Skelton
6 1¾ To Chase A Dream 6 10-9 Paul Collins Brian Hughes
7 1¼ Spirits Bay 7 10-6 Nigel Twiston-Davies Sam Twiston-Davies
8 nk We're Red And Blue 5 10-2 Jonjo & A J O'Neill Richie McLernon
9 ½ Sorceleur 5 10-2 Paul Nicholls Harry Cobden
10 ¾ Big Ginge 5 10-2 Nigel Twiston-Davies Mr Jamie Neild
11 3½ Ooh Betty 7 10-13 Ben Clarke Ben Jones
12 ½ Tapley 8 10-2 Suzy Smith Elizabeth Gale
13 ¾ Bo Zenith 6 11-4 Nicky Henderson Nico de Boinville
14 1¾ Hardy Du Seuil 8 10-10 Jamie Snowden Will Featherstone
15 3 Lump Sum 7 12-0 Sam Thomas Dylan Johnston
16 3½ King William Rufus 8 10-2 Chris Gordon Rex Dingle
17 57 Batman Girac 5 11-2 W P Mullins J J Slevin

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